Carnival Valor Christmas Cruise MDR food

[BlerkOne]

Check in was easy - the security check point was the biggest bottle neck.

 

I did appreciate that everyone had to pass by a K9 dog and all carry on luggage also got a whiff. I didn't smell any pot during the cruise.

 

[BlerkOne]

We booked a last minute suite at a reasonable price, and it was ready at embarkation. Almost worth the price of admission.

 

[BlerkOne]

The embarkation pizza was well done, but tasty!

 

[BlerkOne]

Big and small cakes were available

 

 

 

 

Edited January 11 by BlerkOne

[BlerkOne]

BTW, I noticed at least 4 people working the pizzeria, and they were pumping them out

 

[BlerkOne]

Sailing from New Orleans is always an attraction. It is better in the Summer when the days are longer.

 

 

[MisterOJ2]

18 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

On the Christmas dinner, I wasn't that hungry and played it too safe. I thought the turkey might have been the usual turkey roll stuff, but that didn't appear to be what I saw on another tables plate. I probably should have tried it.

 

Perhaps I should have tried the Lobster and Crab soup. Don't know if I'll see that again on a menu.

 

I meant to try the Eggnog Cheesecake, but forgot to order it from the different section of the menu.

 

All in all, very impressed with the new menus and looking forward to trying them again on longer cruises. A real winner IMO.

 

 

 

I had the turkey on Christmas and was given two different kinds. One piece was a roll that was like... stuffed. It was okay. It had good flavor, but it wasn't turkey. But then I had two large pieces of carved turkey that were also good. I think my wife took a photo and I could probably upload it if you're interested.

 

The stuffing was the most interesting thing to me. It was very moist and had raisins in it. Which, I would have thought was totally weird if not for my wife. Her mom always made stuffing with raisins in it, and that was the only time I've ever had stuffing like that before. Needless to say, she was thrilled that it had raisins, since that was the first time she'd had stuffing with raisins in years since her mom passed some time back. 

 

When we were on the ship, we planned a night at the steakhouse for the night that the menu looked least good for us. We picked our last night, which had the same menu as your fourth night. And after seeing the pictures of your duck and pork chop, I'm kinda bummed that I missed those. They look really great!

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, MisterOJ2 said:

 

I had the turkey on Christmas and was given two different kinds. One piece was a roll that was like... stuffed. It was okay. It had good flavor, but it wasn't turkey. But then I had two large pieces of carved turkey that were also good. I think my wife took a photo and I could probably upload it if you're interested.

 

The stuffing was the most interesting thing to me. It was very moist and had raisins in it. Which, I would have thought was totally weird if not for my wife. Her mom always made stuffing with raisins in it, and that was the only time I've ever had stuffing like that before. Needless to say, she was thrilled that it had raisins, since that was the first time she'd had stuffing with raisins in years since her mom passed some time back. 

 

When we were on the ship, we planned a night at the steakhouse for the night that the menu looked least good for us. We picked our last night, which had the same menu as your fourth night. And after seeing the pictures of your duck and pork chop, I'm kinda bummed that I missed those. They look really great!

 

No need for the picture, but thanks. I cooked a turkey not long after the cruise, and overdosed on it. Now the cats are enjoying the leftovers. 🙂

 

It seems whether I say stuffing or dressing, it is always the other. 🙂

 

Originally I had planned two nights in the steakhouse, but cancelled wanting to try as much as possible of the new menus. I don't regret that decision. Late seating the the MDR wasn't busy, so always had great service.

[BlerkOne]

I liked this for seeing what wave heights I might expect.

 

https://www.buoyweather.com/map/gulf-of-mexico

 

You can check many areas.

 

 

[Journey11]

Thank you for taking the time to prepare this very informative MDR food review.

We will be on the Valor in March. Looking forward to trying the new menu.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Journey11 said:

Thank you for taking the time to prepare this very informative MDR food review.

We will be on the Valor in March. Looking forward to trying the new menu.

You're welcome!

[BlerkOne]

Time lapse of ants in Cozumel mostly returning to Carnival Valor and Sailaway

 

 

[TiredTrucker]

Food looks tasty, thanks for sharing! 

[PayneAS]

I was also on that cruise and late dinner. 

I usually love the MDR and this time was no exception. 

[BlerkOne]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:31 AM, TiredTrucker said:

Food looks tasty, thanks for sharing! 

It was! You're welcome.

[BlerkOne]

When the temps are in the 20s and dropping, there is always Cozumel...

 

[BlerkOne]

[BlerkOne]

I don't care what they say - Guy's burgers are still great and so are the fries.

 

[Luke gs Daddy]

9 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

When the temps are in the 20s and dropping, there is always Cozumel...

 

 

Where was this? Did they serve drinks and food?

 

Thanks.

[bmarts]

I went on royal about 7 months ago and was not impressed with the food. Looking at your food I am excited to be back on Carnival in less than 30 days 

[BlerkOne]

6 minutes ago, bmarts said:

I went on royal about 7 months ago and was not impressed with the food. Looking at your food I am excited to be back on Carnival in less than 30 days 

I've been on a few Royal cruises but don't care to increase that number. I think I was impressed with their breads.

[BlerkOne]

6 hours ago, Luke gs Daddy said:

Where was this? Did they serve drinks and food?

 

Thanks.

At the Puerta Maya port complex. If you are at this view and look right, you are literally there. There is normally a fair amount of foot traffic nearby - probably not as serene as it looks most of the time. The day we were there, there were only two ships calling on Cozumel - unheard of in season, but this was just before Christmas. The other ship was Disney and was all the way downtown. I think maybe you can get served there, but if not, there are a number of bars and restaurants in the vicinity.

 

 

 

[BlerkOne]

6 hours ago, Luke gs Daddy said:

Where was this? Did they serve drinks and food?

 

Thanks.

https://www.puertamaya.com/

 

 

[john91498]

15 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

I don't care what they say - Guy's burgers are still great and so are the fries.

 

 

Agreed. I usually ask for another pattie to make it a double cheese burger...delicious...

[BlerkOne]

Diamond events depend on the number of Diamonds and the number of sun spots. On this cruise there were relatively few so we ended up with cocktails and nibbles. And a number of officers who visited the peeps. I was lucky enough to have the beverage manager (Lucky, of course) visit with me most of the time. Drinks were anything and everything desired. The nibbles were tasty - I ended up grabbing an unused plate or two from other tables to try some of everything.